Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, his aide Prakash Silwal confirmed, following days of violent anti-corruption protests led by Gen Z youths. The demonstrations, which defied an indefinite curfew, erupted over a government-imposed social media ban and allegations of widespread corruption.

Oli stepped down shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office shouting slogans demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during the protests on Monday, officials said. In his resignation letter to President Paudel, Oli cited the "extraordinary circumstances" facing Nepal and said he is quitting to pave the way for a "constitutional and political" resolution of the current situation. In view of the precarious security situation, the flight services at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu have been suspended, the officials said.

The protesters, chanting slogans such as "KP Chor, Desh Chhod" (KP thief, leave the country) and "Take Action Against Corrupt Leaders," took to the streets in multiple parts of Kathmandu on Tuesday. They torched the Prime Minister’s residence at Balkot in Bhaktapur and pelted stones at the homes of other political leaders, including Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Oli had earlier convened an all-party meeting to discuss Nepal’s deteriorating political situation, scheduled for 6 pm, but the resignation renders the emergency dialogue moot. Protesters also set fire to the residence of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who resigned Monday following the deadly police crackdown.

The unrest erupted after authorities imposed a social media ban, blocking platforms including Facebook and X, citing non-registration with the government. Following violent clashes on Monday, which left 19 people dead and over 300 injured, the ban was lifted.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, demonstrations continued on Tuesday. Protesters gathered at key locations, including Maitighar Mandala, and burned tyres along the Ring Road. Schools and shops remain closed, and Kathmandu authorities enforced an indefinite curfew to prevent further unrest.

Protesters’ demands included PM Oli’s resignation, the formation of a national government, strict action against corrupt politicians, guaranteed freedom of expression, and the introduction of a retirement age for political officeholders. Gen Z activists have also used social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to highlight the extravagant lifestyles of ministers’ children and question the sources of their wealth.

Senior Nepali Congress leaders, including Gagan Thapa, Bimalendra Nidhi, and Arjun Narsingh Kesi, had called for Oli to resign and for the formation of a national or all-party government, alongside a powerful anti-corruption body to investigate officials’ assets.

Two Nepali Congress ministers, Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel, resigned Monday, citing the government’s harsh response to student protesters.

The police crackdown on Monday’s demonstrations involved firing, baton charges, and tear gas, resulting in 19 deaths, including a 12-year-old student, and over 300 injuries.
(With inputs from Reuters and PTI)